Extending ball valve handle

[Bradley Gray]

The water shut off for my house is in the wall under the laundry tubs. How can I extend the handle about 16"?

[Tom M King]

Google ball valve extension handle. I found a number of choices

[Maurice Mcmurry]

I have made wooden and or steel tools that allow an out of reach valve to be turned from a distance. One is just an oak 1 x 2 screwed on end through the ball valve handle.


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[Bill Howatt]

I believe you want to extend the shaft from the ball valve, not the handle length itself.
If so, I'd get some material, hardwood will work if the ball turns without excessive force. Make a mating hole, usually a rounded-corner rectangle to fit over the shaft. You could put a setscrew in the extension at the valve end if desired.
OR
Another way, maybe better, would be to drill and thread the extension to match the thread on the valve shaft and put in a setscrew.
Then make a tenon matching the similar hole in the handle at the other end and put the handle on it

You might want some kind of a support so it doesn't droop off the valve.
Just my thought.

[andy bessette]

Let's see a photo of the valve and its environment.

[Cameron Wood]

Do you want the handle to stay in place, or attach for each use?

[Bradley Gray]

Stay in place. I think it will need a support since it's horizontal. About 20" long..

[Bradley Gray]

Maurice, the last image looks good, where do I get it?

[Maurice Mcmurry]

Maurice, the last image looks good, where do I get it?

I think that one is is a Reed product I can't seem to find the model number.

Valve & Curb Keys | Reed Manufacturing

I hope it is not this one. I had not clicked on to see that it is from the UK.
Valve Keys - Pipe Equipment

[Bradley Gray]

Bill, your idea is good. I’m considering threaded rod with a coupling nut.

[Cameron Wood]

This worked pretty well on a stiff new valve even without glue on the fittings.

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[Bruce Wrenn]

Piece of PVC large enough to slip over handle at the middle. Cut slots on each side to fit wings of handle into, add an extension of the needed length, and add a tee and some short sections of PVC to make a handle. Thirty minute job once materials are on hand.

[Cameron Wood]

Piece of PVC large enough to slip over handle at the middle. Cut slots on each side to fit wings of handle into, add an extension of the needed length, and add a tee and some short sections of PVC to make a handle. Thirty minute job once materials are on hand.

It took me ten minutes to find a ball valve, and ten minutes to find the fittings, design and make the thing- one cut with a hack saw.